Losing even a small amount of weight, if needed, can significantly decrease knee pain from osteoarthritis. Exercise. Strengthening the muscles around the knee makes the joint more stable and decreases pain.

There are many ways to relieve osteoarthritis pain. Some of the most common methods include: 1. Over-the-counter pain relievers: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen, can help to reduce pain and inflammation. 2. Prescription pain relievers: If over-the-counter pain relievers are not effective, your doctor may prescribe stronger pain medications, such as opioids. 3. Physical therapy: Physical therapy can help to strengthen the muscles around the joints and improve flexibility. This can help to reduce pain and improve function. 4. Exercise: Exercise is important for people with osteoarthritis. It can help to reduce pain, improve flexibility, and strengthen the muscles around the joints. 5. Weight loss: Losing weight can help to reduce stress on the joints and relieve pain. 6. Heat and cold therapy: Heat and cold therapy can help to reduce pain and inflammation. Heat can be applied to the affected joint using a heating pad, hot water bottle, or warm compress. Cold can be applied to the affected joint using an ice pack or cold compress. 7. Braces and splints: Braces and splints can help to support the affected joint and reduce pain. 8. Injections: Injections of corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid can help to reduce pain and inflammation in the affected joint. 9. Surgery: Surgery is an option for people with severe osteoarthritis that does not respond to other treatments. Surgery can involve repairing or replacing the damaged joint.

While there is no cure for osteoarthritis, the condition can be successfully self-managed in a number of cases. Osteoarthritis of the knee can range in severity; some people can have significant changes shown on an x-ray with mild symptoms and others can have severe symptoms with little physical change.

The main over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers are acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. These can help you to manage the pain and inflammation associated with knee arthritis.